But, of course, there’s no way the sextet of artists — and their 18 counterparts from Teams Adam, Blake and Xtina — could heed said advice.

Live Playoffs cuts are perhaps the unkindest and most definitely the bloodiest cuts of all. Using the same equation as the Spice Girls’ classic hit “2 Become 1” — side note: How come nobody ever covers Spice Girls on The Voice? — 24 became 12 by the end of the one hour telecast, with the eliminated dozen’s heads impaled on spikes and displayed in the hallway between the coaches’ dressing rooms.

OK, OK, I made that last part up — though maybe we should check those kids’ Twitter accounts for signs of activity? — but you feel me, right, Voice addicts? Brutal. Unforgiving. Too soon. Too sad. Too… what’s that, Carson Daly? I’m harshing on your relentlessly upbeat vibe? I’m supposed to focus on who got saved by America and who got saved by their coaches and not give a eulogy to the fallen? (Oh, Katie Basden and Joe Maye, I think I’ll miss you most of all!)

TEAM XTINASaved by America: Alisan Porter, Nick HagelinSaved by Xtina: Bryan BautistaEliminated: Ryan Quinn, Kata Hay, Tamar Davis (two of these contestants have stronger bodies of work than almost anyone on Teams Pharrell and Blake, no?)